Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is the North American native version of the more widely known Bleeding Heart. It is native to Eastern North America and the Northwestern US.
It is a low-growing perennial that blooms in March with white flowers that resemble white breeches on a clothesline blowing in the wind. The foliage is dark and fernlike. Dutchman's Breeches can be found in forests, along streams or rocky ledges. Growing best in part shade and moist, rich, humusy soil, it will tolerate full shade and clay. It is also rabbit resistant! Yay! 🐇
This guy is a spring ephemeral, which means its foliage will die back by summer. Plant it amongst other plants that will fill in during the summer.
Sources: USDA, Missouri Botanical Garden
PHOTO: @kentucky.woods
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